Where the law stands, Dossier 2025/2039(INI)
Advancing towards a care society: addressing the gender care gap
Own-initiative report (INI): Parliament’s own position on a topic. It is not binding. · First reading
Parliament sets out its own position on a topic. The resolution is not binding but signals what Parliament wants.
Where it stands
Parliament’s position
Parliament adopted the text on 21 May 2026. This is its final position on the matter.
- Referred to committee(done) 13 February 2025
- Committee work(done) Report adopted 24 March 2026
- Tabled for plenary(done) 8 April 2026
- Plenary vote(done) Adopted 21 May 2026
- Parliament’s position(done) Final
Decided in plenary
21 May 2026 · decision 9
Jobs, social affairs & equality, Resolution
Advancing towards a care society: addressing the gender care gap
Adopted 263 for · 83 against · 154 abstained by a clear majority
AI summary:The text calls for reducing inequalities in care, strengthening care systems, and promoting gender equality across the EU.
What changed
Latest Tabled for plenary → Adopted by Parliament
AI summary:Drops a paragraph on fiscal support for hiring help to share care responsibilities. Removes the specific EUR 20 billion figure for the European Child Guarantee, now asking for a substantial budget. The other changes are formal: decimal points replaced with commas and a minor rephrasing.
Who works on it
- Lead committee
- Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
- The MEP who drafts the report and negotiates it on behalf of the committee.
- Eleonora Meleti (EPP), Rosa Estaràs Ferragut (EPP)
- An MEP who follows a report on behalf of their own group when another group holds the rapporteur.
- Vilija Blinkevičiūtė (S&D), Mep #256855 (Patriots), Valérie Devaux (Renew), Benedetta Scuderi (Greens), Estrella Galán (The Left), Emma Rafowicz (S&D), Margarita De La Pisa Carrión (Patriots), Chiara Gemma (ECR), Raquel García Hermida-Van der Walle (Renew), Katrin Langensiepen (Greens), Kathleen Funchion (The Left), Irmhild Bossdorf (ESN)
The text, version by version
Newest first.
Adopted by Parliament· 21 May 2026
AI summary:Parliament's resolution on the gender care gap calls for a care society that values formal and informal care, addresses the unequal burden on women, and promotes equal sharing of care responsibilities.
Tabled for plenary· 8 Apr 2026
AI summary:This resolution on advancing towards a care society addresses the gender care gap, calling for measures to value care work, support carers, and promote equal sharing of responsibilities.
Timeline
Newest first.
Plenary stage 4 steps
21 May 2026
Plenary vote
Sitting of 21 May 2026 Report A10-0083/2026Adopted text TA10-0190/2026
20 May 2026
Debated in plenary
MEPs debated the text in the chamber ahead of the vote.
12 May 2026
6 amendments tabled for the plenary vote
Groups propose changes to the tabled text; each is voted on before the final vote.
8 April 2026
Report tabled for plenary
This is the text all MEPs vote on. Political groups can still table amendments to it.
Committee stage 4 steps
24 March 2026
Committee vote: report adopted
FEMM (Women’s Rights and Gender Equality) voted on the amendments and adopted the report that goes to plenary.
30 September 2025
Amendments tabled in committee (2 batches)
Members of the committee proposed changes to the draft.
1 September 2025
Draft report published
The rapporteur’s first text. Members can table amendments before the committee votes.
13 February 2025
Referred to the FEMM (Women’s Rights and Gender Equality) committee
The lead committee prepares Parliament’s report.
Official record: Legislative Observatory, 2025/2039(INI)